Danny Pintauro Says His “Who’s the Boss?” Residual Checks Can ‘Cost More to Mail’ Than They’re Worth

**Danny Pintauro Discusses Limited Residuals from ‘Who’s the Boss?’**

Danny Pintauro, best known for his role in the popular sitcom ‘Who’s the Boss?’, has recently shared insights into his earnings from the show, which originally aired from 1984 to 1992 to widespread acclaim. During a recent appearance on the Tamron Hall Show, Pintauro provided a candid look at the residual payments he receives, which he says have been greatly impacted by outdated contractual terms.

At the age of 50, Pintauro revealed that he earns approximately £4,000 when all eight seasons of ‘Who’s the Boss?’ are licensed, and this occurs only once or twice a year. These figures starkly highlight how contracts written long before the advent of VHS and streaming services have affected former child stars. Pintauro’s comments echoed sentiments expressed by fellow actor Jodie Sweetin, who previously mentioned receiving residual cheques worth just a penny. Pintauro remarked, “It costs more to mail the check than the check is worth. It’s so true.”

The limitations of these contracts come into focus when Pintauro elaborates on the absence of provisions for modern platforms. “You have to remember, our contracts from that time period didn’t have stipulations for even VHS. Streaming, of course, was non-existent,” he explained. “So the contracts just don’t stipulate what happens when a streaming service plays your episode over and over.”

In an era where ‘Who’s the Boss?’ is readily available on various streaming platforms, Pintauro’s situation serves as a poignant reminder of how the industry has evolved. Despite the show’s popularity, he receives limited financial benefit from its continued viewership. “So, let’s say a network or a streaming service purchases all eight seasons of ‘Who’s the Boss?’ I get about £4,000. And that’s like once or twice a year, maybe at the very most. It’s not great,” he stated.

Interestingly, Pintauro noted that he now receives more residual cheques from his role in the 1983 horror film ‘Cujo’ than from ‘Who’s the Boss?’. This reflects not only the changing nature of the entertainment industry but also highlights the unpredictable landscape of film and television residuals.

Reflecting on his time on ‘Who’s the Boss?’, Pintauro conveyed mixed feelings about the show. He acknowledged the joy of being part of a beloved series, featuring a storyline about a single father, played by Tony Danza, who becomes a live-in housekeeper for ad executive Angela, portrayed by Judith Light. Pintauro played Jonathan, Angela’s son, and while he expressed gratitude for the experience, he confessed that watching old clips evokes complicated feelings due to the personal struggles he faced at the time.

In his comments to Entertainment Tonight, Pintauro said, “Overall, obviously, the experience was amazing. I mean, it’s not about the experience of being on set — that was perfect. Like, it couldn’t have been any better. The family, right? The sort of camaraderie.” However, he added, “I think it’s because the person that I’m watching was going through a lot at the time, secretly. You know, I was young, I was trying to figure out and navigate these thoughts about my sexuality. At that time, the narrative around being gay was very negative.”

Pintauro’s openness about his struggles and experiences reflects a broader narrative in Hollywood regarding LGBTQ+ representation and acceptance. Since stepping away from the limelight for a time, Pintauro married Wil Tabares in 2014, and made a return to acting last year in the Lifetime film ‘A Country Christmas Harmony’.

As the industry continues to grapple with the implications of streaming and evolving media consumption habits, actors like Pintauro are raising important questions about fairness and equity in residual payments—a critical issue that could have lasting effects on many former child stars.